tracked winner until 5th, prominent, lost place after 11th, closed 17th, went 2nd after 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, no impression on winner, just held on for 2nd
tracked leaders, jumped slowly 17th, ridden when not fluent 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, just failed in battle for 2nd, no impression on winner
in rear, not particulary fluent, jumped left and slightly hampered 8th, pushed along 13th, mistake, swerved left to avoid faller and unseated rider 14th
held up, jumped right and got worse as race progressed, mistake 1st, closed after 11th, ridden when pecked 17th, soon outpaced, weakened 4 out, soon pulled up
made all, jumped left 8th, not fluent 4 out, pushed along when jumped left 3 out, ridden 6 lengths clear when jumped left last, hung right flat, stayed on
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th until ridden after 4 out, one pace and no impression after next, weakened last
held up, hit 7th, closed after 11th, fell 14th
Nonrunner
Earth Planet is consistent and stays well but usually finds at least one too good and the handicapper has inexplicably put him up 2lb for an 11-length defeat by a progressive type at Sandown. We much prefer the unexposed HORSHAM LAD, who had no trouble landing his first handicap at Carlisle last month and gives the impression today's extra distance will suit him just as well. Fergal O'Brien's former pointer should also prove too strong for the luckless Battlecry while Meet The Critics has disappointed this season. Double Dizzy was third over the cross-country fences at Cheltenham last time but may struggle back on a more conventional track.
Noakarad De Verzee (FR) 150-1 (12-0) Chased leaders to halfway, soon behind, tailed off 4 out, 11th of 24, well behind Zemsky (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gd in Mar.
Earth Planet (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, steady headway to 4th at 15th, effort to lead 3 out, ridden next, mistake and headed last, soon no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Hold On Julio (11-4) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Horsham Lad (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) Held up mid-division, headway after 5 out, led 3 out, kept on well from last, won at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Oct beating Vamizi (11-5) by 3l, 15 ran.
Meet The Critics (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up behind in touch, outpaced before 4 out, never on terms, weakened next, soon pulled up, in a race won by Court Red Handed (11-5) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 11 ran.
Battlecry 15-2 (10-9) Led, jumped big 5th, hung right flat, headed final 150 yards, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Iheardu (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Oct.
Double Dizzy 40-1 (11-2) Prominent, challenged 3 out, driven ahead before 2 out, headed after last, no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Uncle Junior (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) fm.
She's On The Case (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 3rd, lost place after 11th, mistake 11th, stayed on flat, no impression, 5th of 8, 21l behind Life Of A Luso (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in May.
Dunkelly Castle (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, some headway after 8th, well beaten after 3 out, 8th of 12, 31l behind Valid Point (11-10) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
